Domaine des Escaravailles Rasteau “Argilla Ad Argillam”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- This wine is a red wine with flattering fruit and round tannins.
- Argilla Ad Argillam comes from a vineyard called “Sambiches” composed of red clay and limestone. These plots, located at 340m of altitude have a south exposure, which bring freshness and perfect maturity to the wine.
- Drink now or cellar age for 4 years.
Varietal Composition: 60% Grenache Noir, 40% Syrah
Elaboration: The grapes are hand-picked and sorted at the vineyard. They are fully destemmed then fermented in concrete tank, each grape separately. Vatting time is between 28 to 35 days with daily grape-treading and pumping-over. The wines are then aged in 1000 and 600L clay amphoras for 9 months.
Tasting Notes: Dark red color. Delicate and graphite nose, of wild blackberry and star anise. The palate is full and mineral, leading to an explosion of wild fruits paired to rosemary and saltiness.
PRESS
2019 – 92-94 Jeb Dunnuck | 91 Wine Enthusiast
2020 – 90 Jeb Dunnuck
2021 – 90 Jeb Dunnuck
2022 – 93 Decanter | 90+ Jeb Dunnuck
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Domaine del Escaravailles derives its name from Escaravay, the Occitan language word for beetle. It was a nickname for the Black Penitents – the monks of Avignon who owned the farm in the 17th Century.
In 1953, Jean-Louis Ferran, a wine broker, sold his old car to help purchase the estate, which is located in the Appellation Rasteau in the southern Rhône wine region of France. It looks across the valley to Mont Ventoux of Tour de France fame.
Jean-Louis and his two sons planted vines and, in 1964, released bottles of Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau, a signature wine of the AOC. In 1988, Gilles Ferran became the winemaker while he and his wife raised their daughter, Madeline. Madeline Ferran watched and learned, growing to become the estate’s winemaker. Now, Madeline is becoming well-known for her increasingly sought-after wines.